As the Implementation Coordinator for the Vernon Community Plan, Michelle Hill's job involves being connected to a lot of Vernon's organizations and agencies.

She sits on the Tri-Town Hunger Action Team, and facilitates the Vernon School Readiness Council meetings, among her many duties.

The plan is divided into three sections – Birth to 8, 9 to 18, and a Community section.

"The desired outcome of the whole plan is that Vernon children, birth through 18, come out safe, healthy and productive," Hill said, adding that currently, a lot of the focus is on kids' social-emotional health.

"We are training providers in our community on how to promote good infant mental health, because that really affects how the brain develops, and how the child learns," Hill said.

For Hill, every day is a little different, and she is out in the community often, interacting with a wide variety of local residents. She said she's in a lot of meetings, and also has to record what actions are taking place, including the progress of the Community Plan and its myriad facets.

"Another role that I have through this is that I'm the case manager for the Child Advocacy Team," she said. "I'm actually working directly with families. It's a team of providers who come together to work with a family that has some complex issues. We talk about how we can all get on the same page to come up with a plan that the family can benefit from."

Often finding herself as an information source, Hill is also part of the Neighborhood Advocacy Program, which finds easier ways for people to get help they might need.

"There are people who may not feel comfortable going to a service provider, because they want their privacy, or maybe there is some fear sometimes," she said. "The neighborhood advocate is that maybe that [connection] is your neighbor, so it feels less threatening. That's another great part of my job – working with community members."

"It's a great job," Hill said. "I really have enjoyed it. There are people who I've met through this work that have added to the value of my life, and I hope vice versa."

Hill, who grew up in Vernon and attended Maple Street School, said she knew from an early age that she wanted to impact children. She originally wanted to be a teacher, but began working at a YMCA after-school program, and decided to major in early childhood development at UConn and got her bachelor of science degree. She then directed camps and was an administrator with the YMCA.

She later took a position at Vernon Youth Services working with an after-school program, which began her work with the School Readiness Council.

"I really liked that role, and then this position opened up," she said. "It was something I really wanted to tackle. This is really a great community. It's changed so much, but I love it. I feel very, very fortunate to work in the community that I grew up in."

Hill also has high hopes for Vernon's future. "I hope for everybody to have a home," she said. "I hope to see the Neighborhood Advocate program grow even stronger. We may never be able to tackle some of the issues with poverty, but can all help each other. I'd like to see even more connectedness. I think the providers have a strong network, and I'd like to see the community, from a resident standpoint, come together in that way."